There have been many occasions in the history of our great game when the scoreboard does not reflect the way the game was played.
This was one such instance, but sadly for the West Coast Eagles, the 38-point margin in this contest was not a true image of how much North Melbourne dominated the contest.
The intensity of the Kangaroos, virtually from the first bounce, by far out-stripped that of the home team and the chasm between the two grew wider as the game progressed. Just one goal in the middle quarters was indicative of the gap between the teams, rather than the final margin.
The Eagles needed to win to stake a claim for a place in the top eight and North was in a similar position, although the quality of the Kangaroos’ performance also threw up the question as to why they were not entrenched higher up the table.
In despatching West Coast, the Kangaroos had beaten both WA teams at Patersons Stadium and also boasted victories over other top four teams Port Adelaide and Sydney. The quality of those performances – and their effort against West Coast – suggested they were a quality outfit.
They appeared to have all the bases covered: a quality midfield led by former St Nick Dal Santo, Levi Greenwood, Andrew Swallow and Ben Cunnington, a couple of good targets up forward through Drew Petrie and Aaron Black, as well as committed and disciplined defence.
Oh, and a veteran by the name of Brent Harvey who just kept getting the footy.
Cobble all of that together and North packed too much for a disappointing West Coast team, which did not appear prepared to put the shoulder to the wheel and do the collective grunt work.
With the obvious exception of Matt Priddis, who continued a stellar season, wingmen Andrew Gaff and Matt Rosa, and defenders Shannon Hurn and Eric Mackenzie, who again led the way down back, the Eagles had too few being asked to carry the burden.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui chimed in with some cameo efforts – including a wonderful goal from the boundary in the first term – but the highlights were rare in this encounter.
LAST TIME
Round 11: Sunday, June 1 – Patersons Stadium
North Melbourne 4.0 6.6 10.9 12.10 (82)
West Coast Eagles 3.3 3.4 4.6 6.8 (44)
Goals: North Melbourne – Black, Petrie, Adams 2; A Swallow, Cunnington, Harvey, Anthony, Thomas, Atley. West Coast Eagles – LeCras, Priddis 2; Cripps, Naitanui.
Attendance: 35,914
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 44 Won: 24 Lost: 20
LAST FIVE TIMES
R11, 2014, North Melbourne 12.10 (82) d West Coast 6.8 (44) at Subiaco Oval
R8, 2013, West Coast 12.18 (90) d North Melbourne 13.10 (88) at Subiaco Oval
1EF, 2012, West Coast 24.18 (162) d North Melbourne 9.12 (66) at Subiaco Oval
R15, 2012, West Coast 12.14 (86) d North Melbourne 13.6 (84) at Blundstone Arena
R6, 2012, West Coast 17.18 (120) d North Melbourne 15.5 (95) at Subiaco Oval
